Franconia United Methodist Churchhttps://www.franconiaumc.org
Serving God in Franconia and KingstowneThu, 21 Sep 2017 17:26:53 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.2“Come to the Table” Worship Series Begins September 24!https://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/09/21/come-to-the-table-worship-series-begins-september-24/
Thu, 21 Sep 2017 17:26:53 +0000https://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4377In this “Come to the Table” series, we hear the call to dine with Jesus— an invitation that means much more than a simple eating experience.

Jesus’s table was the place where he not only fed people physically, but challenged them to acts of hospitality that reflect God’s way. When we say “yes” to the place at Christ’s table, we accept a way of life that embraces God’s deﬁnition of love, peace, grace and joy.

September 24th – And the Table Will be Wide
October 1st – The Table of Grace-World Communion Sunday (one service, 10 am only)

]]>Is God Calling You to Mentor an Elementary Aged Student?https://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/09/16/fes-mentorship/
Sat, 16 Sep 2017 16:04:15 +0000https://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4360Franconia Church has partnered with our next door neighbor, Franconia Elementary School (FES), to provide support in a variety of ways to the students and families at FES. As of right now, the mentoring program needs some shoring up. Are you able to help out? See below for the urgent need and for an overview of our relationship with FES, please click here.

]]>Last week in the “Fresh Start” sermon series!https://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/09/01/fall-sermon-series/
Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:20:52 +0000https://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4331
]]>One 10 AM Worship Service Planned for October 1https://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/08/30/one-10-am-worship-service-planned-for-october-1/
Wed, 30 Aug 2017 22:09:47 +0000https://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4327Occasionally we’ll host one worship service on a Sunday so we can gather as one body and celebrate. Our first such Sunday this fall is October 1, when we’ll celebrate World Communion Sunday. Read more here.
]]>Reflection: Charlottesville and the Church’s Missionhttps://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/08/22/charlottesville-and-our-mission/
Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:12:26 +0000http://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4229Our Alexandria District Superintendent Rev. Jeff Mickle was among the clergy and laity who witnessed to Christ’s love and grace in Charlottesville, Virginia during the events there on August 13-14, 2017. He has written a reflection regarding how he feels the church is being called to respond. I invite you to read it at this link:

Franconia UMC will host an opportunity to dialogue around the issue, particularly as it relates to the church’s mission, and we will use Rev. Mickle’s reflection to help frame our conversation. I appreciate your support on this, and encourage your participation in the conversation:

]]>Youth Served Eastern Shore Communities; Blessings Abound!https://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/08/01/youth-mission-2017-thanks/
Tue, 01 Aug 2017 21:46:09 +0000http://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4202“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Thank you for your prayers and support for the mission trip! It was a huge success! We had 9 youth and 3 adult volunteers. We served several communities within Eastern Shore, VA. We were blessed to serve a diverse group of kids, which made us feel right at home. We served youth struggling educationally, physically because of brain trauma, and children who were living below the poverty level.

We were so blessed by them and our time of service. Again, thank you!

James Harris

Director, Children’s and Youth Ministries

]]>Youth In Mission – Prayers and Other Needshttps://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/07/15/youth-in-mission-prayers-and-other-needs/
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:32:46 +0000http://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4181Our Youth are traveling to the Eastern Shore of Virginia July 23-28 to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! (And to build an accessibility ramp and a few other projects…)

We are also looking to use two 7-passenger vans to provide safe transportation for the team. If you can help, please let Pastor James know at flyjames2000@gmail.com.

Plan to be on hand at 11 AM worship on Sunday, July 23, when Pastor Melissa will commission the youth and chaperones.

Praise God for our FLY youth group – FOCUSED, LOVING, and YIELDING – all to God!

]]>A Note from Pastor Melissahttps://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/07/08/a-note-from-pastor-melissa/
Sat, 08 Jul 2017 10:47:32 +0000http://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4172Grace and peace to you all! What a blessing it is to serve as your pastor. Thank you so much for the warm welcome you have given me and my family. We so appreciated the meals and all the help that everyone has given.

We are enjoying meeting everyone and appreciate the extra effort everyone is making to wear name tags. It really helps as we are learning names.

I am enjoying getting to know the Franconia church family. If you are interested in meeting with me, please let me know. I would love to have the opportunity to get to know the members of the congregation better. Over the next few weeks, I have been scheduling meetings with the leadership of the church. I am excited about learning all that God is doing here and look forward as the Holy Spirit guides us to live out our vision here at Franconia.

Feel free to contact me at: PastorMelissa@franconiaumc.org or contact the church office at 703-971-5151.

]]>FUMC Will Host One Service on July 2 – at 10 AMhttps://www.franconiaumc.org/2017/07/01/welcome-rev-melissa/
Sat, 01 Jul 2017 15:12:06 +0000http://www.franconiaumc.org/?p=4160We officially welcome Rev. Melissa Porter-Miller to Franconia UMC on Sunday, July 2, and we will host one large service at 10 AM followed by a reception. We hope you will join us to welcome Pastor Melissa and her family to Franconia!

Rev. Melissa Porter-Miller, a native of Virginia Beach, is an elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her previous appointments include St. Stephen’s UMC in Burke (Associate Pastor, 2007-2013), and Redland UMC in the Winchester District (2013-2017). She is very excited and looking forward to serving with FranconiaUMC to reach out in the Franconia/Kingstowne area to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

As a young woman, Pastor Melissa served for five years as a young adult missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries, serving in Tucson, Philadelphia, Ireland, and Baltimore (US-2 Program, Mission Intern Program). Her husband, Robert Miller is a native of Northern Ireland. They have two children, ten-year-old son Shea, and four-year-old daughter Siobhán.

Pastor Melissa is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary (M. Div., Urban Ministry Program) and The College of William & Mary (B.A., Government & Psychology). She has a passion for mission, worship, evangelism, and for meeting people where they are and helping them to take the next faithful steps in their walk with God. She enjoys helping people discover how they can make a difference for Christ in the community and the world. She believes that it is important for people, particularly children and youth, to know God’s love for them, and particularly enjoys creating opportunities for children, youth, and adults to discover God’s deep love through worship. She strongly believes that the church is called not only to proclaim the gospel, but to truly embody the gospel, shaping the community of faith in light of Christ.